I've never off loaded on a trip. The only time my jacks are even attached is at home. And only to install and remove the camper, at home. When we leave home, for all intents and purposes, we're driving a Class C. I've had no reason to have the jacks on the road or to unload. We don't need them for stability. We usually don't spend more than a couple nights in any one place. No boat to launch. Even if I did, I would use the front receiver hitch for launch.
regards, as always, jefe
'01.5 Dodge 3/4T, CTD, HO, Qcab, SB, 4x4, 6spd, D60, D80+Pwr Loc,
camper&tow pkg,Titan V, 285/75R-16 frnt, 33/14.5 Nitto super singles rr,
Rancho 9K's, Warn M15K winch. tows Jeep CJ8 rock crawler on 14' trailer
'98 Lance Squire Lite 165s, 8' 6" X Cab
We unload for almost every trip. It makes it easier to load/unload the boat and it gives us a vehicle to drive around in without having to unhook utilities. This is one of the reasons we went with a truck camper. One word of advice if you do unload...Before you unload make sure you are within reach of all the utilities. We arrived late one night and thought we had the camper positioned where we wanted it. We unloaded the camper only to find out that we were not within reach to the electrical plug. We had to load the camper (in the dark...yikes), back up about 18 inches and unload again. Fortunately we have loaded/unloaded enough that we did not have a problem. Good luck with which ever route you chose.
2006 Ford F250 Super Duty, Ext. Cab, Diesel, 2WD, shortbed
Air Bags, Stock 17" E Rated Tires
2003 Lance 815 Ext. Cab with a/c
2002 22' Bennington Triple Toon w/Mercury 150 2-stroke
Ours stays on the truck. We like having the camper with us during the day to use the bathroom, have lunch or change clothes. (or some other activites that I won't mention
"Never argue with an fool, they will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience"
It depends on the situation. On our last trip to the coast we decided to leave it at the campground as it seemed easier to off-load rather than repack. Other trips we leave it on and do our running around. We do what the mood and situation creates.
We chose the Lance 815 as it is small enough and light enough to go almost anywhere. It is always nice to have a cold drink and clean bathroom so we almost never unload the camper except to store it between trips.
Looks like it is 50/50 on loading or unloading, but wouldn't you feel uncomfortable on a long trip without the jacks? There must be reasons to unload the camper in some emegergency situation, release the tiedowns and lift the camper slightly so you could change a tire, some other type of repair requiring the camper off the truck? We have a one month trip coming up and I wouldn't go without the jacks.
Bob
Seacraft Skipper
"Semper Paratus"
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 ExCab L/b Air lift A/B.
2002 Lance Lite 915.
1972 20ft Seacraft Sport Fish.
I have travelled all over the US and Canada without my front jacks, but that has to change. The new Ford Super Duty trucks require lifting the cab to do serious work on the engines. Therefore, I will have to take the jacks with me in order to remove the TC in case of a big problem.
Clattertruck
2008 SD F450 PSD 6.4L CC 4X4 DRW, Lariat Auto trans 4.30 LS, 2008 Snowriver 108 truck camper. Jeep Unlimited Rubicon as toad.
Bob wrote:
"Looks like it is 50/50 on loading or unloading, but wouldn't you feel uncomfortable on a long trip without the jacks?"
**jefe: No, not a bit.
"There must be reasons to unload the camper in some emegergency situation, release the tiedowns and lift the camper slightly so you could change a tire, some other type of repair requiring the camper off the truck? Bob"
**jefe: A 12 ton bottle jack will lift the whole rig. This has all been covered in a former thread. The only reason I can see is during a catastrophic collision, accident or rollover it might be nice to have the jacks along, but, in that case there probably wouldn't be much to jack up anyway. Those 'outriggers' serve no purpose for me once on the road except to add 150 lbs, and act as expensive curb feelers and clearance reducers. 8<)
regards, as always, jefe
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